Just when you thought it couldn't get any sillier ...

[Stringbok]

As usual the ECB  have shown a complete lack of imagination.   Here are a few things they could have tried.

Designated Superstar - as the new competition is going to be choc full of world cricket superstars it would be really unfortunate if,after your long journey to the Oval, the said superstar was out first ball. So lets allow each team one designated superstar whom the opposition have to get out twice.  This will appeal to traditionalists as W.G Grace once pulled this trick.

Play the whole squad  -let teams play their best 11 batsmen when batting and swap them out  for fielders and bowlers when fielding. No more pesky collapses to spoil the six fest.

Clown Outfits - Play in clown outfits this will appeal to the young family audiences whilst allowing players to represent the true spirit of their Lords and Masters at the ECB.

You missed the obligatory scantily-clad dancers: presumably Nat and VP are available again?

The ECB are trying to attract a new family audience not frighten them away. Although that's not a bad idea if you want the whole thing to fail...I expect they could be persuaded if the money was right

[nat]

If it meant the whole thing would fail I am up for anything.

[IlfordEagle]

No LBWs would put some Umpires out of business!!

[Andy]

If it meant the whole thing would fail I am up for anything.

Somehow I thought you would be...

[jwb]

So now we know it was all mumsnets idea. Only surprising thing really is that it’s not being called quidditch. Hang on Ravi with a broomstick might just wake him up.

[Andy]

So now we know it was all mumsnets idea. Only surprising thing really is that it’s not being called quidditch.

Presumably this is why there was a call for free preseco as well as spa facilities as well?

[nat]

So now we know it was all mumsnets idea. Only surprising thing really is that it’s not being called quidditch.

Presumably this is why there was a call for free preseco as well as spa facilities as well?

'Preseco'? Is that some sort of northern aperitif?

[Andy]

Presumably this is why there was a call for free preseco as well as spa facilities as well?

'Preseco'? Is that some sort of northern aperitif?

Yes. Although you soft southerners can't handle equal parts, gin white wine, meths and generally miserable arrogance towards anyone born outside of your own back street.

[Wicky]

One entity that was consulted, according to a report in the Times, was the parenting website Mumsnet. Andrew Strauss, England's director of cricket, said at the weekend the new format was aimed at appealing to "mums and kids".

Late Aprils's Fool surely!

What next? Beach Cricket Bash with a soggy tennis ball between the counties played at Jaywick, Deal, Dornoch, Whitby, Lymington, Southport etc. though don't fancy Leicester's home chances...

Seriously though ECB must have a lush money tree growing somewhere - Here in Colchester they splashed out on all weather pitches at Essex Uni and promoting the Last Man standing format that they plucked out off somewhere  - Unfortunately  they didn't do any research that there's already quite a thriving barebones midweek Evening League (15x 8 ball overs) that has been going for years run literally by an old man & his dog (Belka).  Also traffic heading out at rush hour to get out of town to the Essex Uni has to through Greenstead Roundabout bottleneck making it entertaining for a six o'clock start...

[Slogger]

I never thought the lovely burgh of Dornoch would get a mention on here. A lovely place but a long way north for cricket

[Andy]

Nice to hear that my Alma mater and ex-employer is investing in cricket and that the merry go round at Greensted is still bemused people (the trick is to keep going right if you want to get around quicker).

[bwildered]

Latest floater is 10 ball overs, with captains able to change bowlers during .

[Valentines Park]

Latest floater is 10 ball overs, with captains able to change bowlers during .

Good job Fozzy isn't captain then as the last over would take an hour.

[pablo]

At last the players - particularly bowlers are saying things have gone too far and the PCA have raised serious concerns. Naturally the usual suspects, Root,Broad,Morgan, Hales and most disappointingly and inexplicably Cook are all for it. Let's hope the less well healed, journeyman players will mutiny and vote with their feet.

[Valentines Park]

most disappointingly and inexplicably Cook are all for it.

That's not how I read his comments.

He just understands why players are attracted to receiving barrel loads of cash for very little work in return.

Talking of which I bet KP will come out of retirement for this 100 ball jamboree.